Over-RAM-ing

[Paul Komski]

I recently got a discarded pc with a manual that indicates: "Two DIMM sockets for a maximum of 128MB on-board memory" (ie two 64MBs). There was a single 32MB stick alrady in place. Now I happened to have a surplus PC133 256MB RAMstick to hand which I used used to replace the original 32MB. Everything seems to be working fine but neither faster nor slower. Was I ever so foolish to do this http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif and can I expect any problems from putting in too much RAM? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[iisbob]

It really depends on the motherboard and it's hardware supporting features; ie. the typew of memory/cpu it'll support.

Can't see you not having at least some improvment with such a large memory diff. Does it report the correct amount of memory in your system properties box?

Does the memory check at boot report the correct memory?

We need a little more details on the hardware and OS to be of any real help to you if you encounter any problems.



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iisbob
"Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It's not fair that some men should be happier than others."
-- Oscar Wilde

[Paul Komski]

Thanks iisbob.

I have actually lent that pc to a friend to get them out of a temporary fix for writing a resume. The system memory showed 256MB but im not 100% sure (from my own fragmented memory! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif ) about the boot memory check. It was running on a clean install of W98se and has a weird "hybrid" oem motherboard. The pc (Tatung) manual states: Motherboard CPU = Pentium P54C/P55C and compatible high performance 64-bit micro-processor with two operating modes:
Real Address Mode: Supports 1 MB memory address space. Fully code-compatible with 8088, 8086, 80286, 80386, and 80486
Protected Mode: Supports 4 GB of physical memory address space and 64 TB of virtual memory address space.
Four-level memory protection.
Built-in memory management unit.

For now its not a problem so please dont you or others spend excess time on this. I just cant help myself trying things out to see what will happen so I often get my fingers burned! I sort of expected either a malfunction or a real improvement and got neither.

Take nice care of yourself meanwhile and I'll post back if something gets fried! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif